Algicidal microorganisms and secreted algicides: New tools to induce microalgal cell disruption

• Published in: Biotechnology advances 2015-12, Vol.33 (8), p.1615-1625
• Main Authors: Demuez, Marie, González-Fernández, Cristina, Ballesteros, Mercedes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algae; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Bacteria; Biofuels; Biomass; Biotechnology; Cell Communication - drug effects; Cell disruption; Cost engineering; Disruption; Enzymatic hydrolysis; Enzymes; Fuels; Microalgae; Microalgae - drug effects; Microalgae - metabolism; Microorganisms; Process integration; Quorum-sensing
• ISSN: 0734-9750; 1873-1899
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.08.003

Cell disruption is one of the most critical steps affecting the economy and yields of biotechnological processes for producing biofuels from microalgae. Enzymatic cell disruption has shown competitive results compared to mechanical or chemical methods. However, the addition of enzymes implies an associated cost in the overall production process. Recent studies have employed algicidal microorganisms to perform enzymatic cell disruption and degradation of microalgae biomass in order to reduce this associated cost. Algicidal microorganisms induce microalgae growth inhibition, death and subsequent lysis. Secreted algicidal molecules and enzymes produced by bacteria, cyanobacteria, viruses and the microalga themselves that are capable of inducing algal death are classified, and the known modes of action are described along with insights into cell-to-cell interaction and communication. This review aims to provide information regarding microalgae degradation by microorganisms and secreted algicidal substances that would be useful for microalgae cell breakdown in biofuels production processes. A better understanding of algae-to-algae communication and the specific mechanisms of algal cell lysis is expected to be an important breakthrough for the broader application of algicidal microorganisms in biological cell disruption and the production of biofuels from microalgae biomass. •Algicidal microorganisms induce microalgae growth inhibition, death and subsequent lysis.•Degradation of microalgae is an enzymatic disruption method.•Microalgal disruption by microorganisms is strain and cell wall-specific.•Algicidal substances are classified and their modes of action are described.